https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 20:49:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1382316 Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:47:36 +0000 beachbee 1382316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: we're going through this right now! LO just turned 15 months, and has had major mama preference over the past month. if DH is in the room with us, she will always go to me and say "mama!!!" if he tries to pick her up, she screams for me. it's heartbreaking, but I know it's just a phase, and it will pass. we both work outside the house, so the only time we have together is in the evenings. we do dinner/bath together but sometimes it's dicey and she wants nothing to do with daddy. she also only wants me at bedtime. luckily DH is very understanding and doesn't take it personally, I always feel so bad for him!</p> <p>sorry I have no real advice, I just wanted to let you know I can completely understand where you're coming from and how frustrating it can be. hang in there, kiddos go through so many stages, and she will have daddy preference in no time! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1357015 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 15:00:53 +0000 travelgirl1 1357015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: We do all those things now, he's helped with bath since she was born, and stories and is so good with her, always singing to her, playing etc. I think doing stuff as a 3 is the best way though. Part of me thinks they need time without me and part of me thinks i'm making it worse every time I leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356751 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 13:13:24 +0000 Kemma 1356751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Miss A has a very strong Mum preference but it does come and go depending on her mood!</p> <p>Can you try doing activities as a threesome? Maybe bath LO together, have Dad hang round or help with diaper changes etc, read books together or have Dad help more at meal times? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356561 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:53:31 +0000 Revel 1356561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's tough! My LO is 7.5 months and I WOH, but I get home a few hours before her dad, so I'm usually passing her off when he gets home to work on dinner and whatnot so I can totally relate. Hopefully it's just a phase and will pass quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356545 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:47:55 +0000 travelgirl1 1356545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: That's a good idea, thanks.I was thinking to do that this weekend, to make "their" time when she's less tired and stressy, and have us all there so she doesn't always think daddy being there = mum leaving. Although I do have an appointment tomorrow so will have to leave for a few hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356494 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:33:23 +0000 Revel 1356494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is younger so I haven't dealt with this yet but maybe the three of you could spend more time together, if you think it's related to the hand off at the end of the day? Or try spending a few minutes in transition together at that time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356457 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:25:23 +0000 travelgirl1 1356457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SLR: we do the bedtime books together but yeah maybe that would be a good one! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356372 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:00:36 +0000 SLR 1356372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does she read books with him? That may give then some cuddle time while keeping her distracted/occupied. My daughter is going through a similar phase where she is grabbing at my legs and crying when I'm doing things in the kitchen. But books are the one thing she actually seems to prefer her daddy over me for...so that's been our solution. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-with-v-strong-mum-preference-what-would-you-do#post-1356325 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:50:21 +0000 travelgirl1 1356325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 14 month old has a crazy amount of separation anxiety going on just now. She gets hysterical if I'm out of her sight (unless it's her managing to sneak into another room and find something new and exciting and then it's fine, lol). But anyway, the worst part of all this is she will not go to her daddy at all. She loves him and is always laughing at him but only if it's from my arms. She cries if I hand her to him and actually runs from him crying towards me if he tries to pick her up. I think it's because when she sees him she thinks I'm going to go away. It's probably because often when he gets home from work I'll ask him to take her so I can do chores etc. But it's gotten so bad this last few weeks.</p> <p>Any advice on how I should handle it? I want her to have a good relationship with her daddy again! </p>